Anubis Gate perform what is known as Power Metal. However this version of PM is more Progressive with complex leads and instrumental breaks in the songs. Any fans of new PM sensation
Masterplan would dig this I think.
"Hall Of Two Truths" is the staple Keyboard intro to the album clocking in at 1:26 which then gives way to an impressive cut of PM brilliance with the hook heavy anthem
"Downward Spiral".
Then comes the title track
"Purification" which is a mid-paced heavy handed chugger with a nice long lead guitar solo in it.
"Hypernosis" starts off with a long acoustic guitar intro before the mid paced track begins to pulse along. Though as not as easily memorable as
"Downward Spiral", it contains a darker feel and is no less powerful and marks my favorite track on the album.
"In The Comfort Of Darkness" marks my point of getting tired of this album quite honestly. A weak opening riff section that is so derivative of what stinks about Power metal styled like Stratovarius. The song improves somewhat but fails to impress over all.
Things pick back up again though and the all Instrumental song
Before Anubis brings back my interest. Sounding like a cool version of older
Fates Warning style metal. This instrumental really brings it back around and what follows is a great PM track called
"I, Demon".
Although mid paced like most of the album this track is really interesting and gives me that old
Crimson Glory feel which i really like.
"The Shadow" starts with a
Fates Warning styled ballad romp but breaks into some more
Crimson Glory PM for the choruses returning to the heavy ballad sections off and on. I like the song alot but also start to wish for something more up tempo or slower tempo...just a change from the mid paced tempo they employ too much.
"Discrowned" is yet another mid paced torture tactic. The song is weak and i would consider this puppy a filler track for sure. It has some interesting moments but is over all a little less than i think they're capable of.
"Kingdom Of Dust" finishes the album and it starts off with a really sweet and cool keyboard buildup. Very fantasy feeling and broad in a wide sense of how the music fills out the speakers from left to right. This is an odd way, but i think very cool way, to finish the album out by having an almost ambient electronica styled keyboard instrumental end it all. No drums or guitars and bass...just some sweet pads and a little pulsating arpeggiated pattern floating around in the mix.
So over all this is a good record from what could be a very innovative and interesting addition to a sick and honestly boring style of metal. They have some ways to go but this is a great look at what they could do for the ailing Power metal movement. 80% of this record is good and the other 20% is tolerable but weighs the record down.
Some variations in tempo would help a lot and the triggered drums from hell should be found missing on the next record. Other than those minor beefs the band is good and tight and the musicians well skilled. The production is slick as most PM bands productions are. In the case of the drums I'd say too slick!
A few bands to mention as comparison and I'll leave you to explore them at their
web site for info on the guys and some mp3's to hear. If
Crimson Glory(the strongest influence), elements of
Fates Warning, a tad of Maiden, and a good flavor of
Savatage sound interesting to you then please give them a try. Also check out
www.progart.com to see what Mattias Noren is up to because he came up with the kick ass cover for Anubis Gate's debut album.
Written by
David Saturday, May 29, 2004
Show all reviews by DavidRatingsDavid: 6/10Members: 6/10 - Average of 1 ratings.
Member ratings
 | Steen (Staff)
Rating: 6/10
Power Metal is a sick and boring style of metal? No way! Ok, so 4 out of 5 bands playing P... · Read more · |
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